Sad news from the Calgary Zoo site:

The Calgary Zoo is sad to announce that their male Siberian (Amur) tiger, Khasam (15 years old) has terminal bone cancer. Khasam has been demonstrating intermittent lameness that had been responding to medication. However, recent tests by Zoo veterinarians have determined that he has an inoperable form of cancer. The veterinarians and keepers are doing everything they can to minimize his discomfort and ensure his quality of life.

Khasam has been a very significant contributor the Species Survival Plan for Siberian (Amur) tigers. (Species Survival Plans are organized breeding recommendations designed to ensure the best possible genetic diversity within a species in captivity.) Khasam came to us as a rescue tiger in 1991, wild caught in Russia following a request to remove a number of tigers who were encroaching on human residences.

During his years here at the Calgary Zoo he has sired eight offspring (1994, 1996 and 2000), who eventually went on to reside in other Canadian Zoos. Because of his wild caught status, Khasam's genes are still valuable to the captive breeding program for Siberian (Amur) tigers. A reproductive physiologist from the Toronto Zoo will join the animal health care staff of the Calgary Zoo to collect semen from Khasam so that his genes can be frozen for future breeding purposes.

The photo above was taken at the Calgary Zoo around May 1998, when I (Lorien) was visiting Canada for the first time. I can't be 100% sure this IS Khasam in the photo, but most likely it is him. I remember seeing him and the other tigers there at the zoo, and falling in love with this magnificent cat. Since then, the Siberian tiger is the animal I love and admire the most! If I ever get a chance to come back as an animal - I want to be a Siberian tiger!! *s*.